We take a closer look at the 16 teams vying for Commonwealth Games glory on the Gold Coast this weekend.

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AUSTRALIA

Coach: Andy Friend

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Bronze; 2002 – Plate runners-up; 2006 – Fourth; 2010 – Silver; 2014 – Bronze

Pool B – Australia, England, Jamaica, Samoa

Team news: Australia have suffered two significant losses to key players with captain Lewis Holland ruled out with a hamstring injury suffered in Vancouver and then his successor James Stannard after he suffered a fractured skull in an assault. The armband now passes to Jesse Parahi, one of only three players in the squad with previous Commonwealth Games experience.

Squad: Lachlan Anderson, Tim Anstee, Thomas Connor, Boyd Killingworth, Maurice Longbottom, Tom Lucas, Sam Myers, Ben O’Donnell, Jesse Parahi (captain), John Porch, Brandon Quinn, Charlie Taylor.

Did you know...? The host country has never won a medal in rugby sevens, a statistic Australia will be keen to bring to an end in what will be Friend's last event as coach

CANADA

Coach: Damian McGrath

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Cup quarter-finals; 2002 – Plate; 2006 – Plate; 2010 – Bowl runner-up; 2014 – Bowl winner

Pool C – Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Zambia

Team news: There is plenty of experience running through this Canadian team with Harry Jones, John Moonlight and playmaker Nathan Hirayama three players with more than 40 tournaments on the world series to their name. 

Squad: Andrew Coe, Connor Braid, Admir Cejvanovic, Justin Douglas, Lucas Hammond, Nathan Hirayama, Isaac Kaay, Pat Kay, Mike Fuailefau, Harry Jones (captain), John Moonlight, Matt Mullins.

Did you know...? Canada featured in the only draw in Commonwealth Games history, 12-12 v Samoa in their opening match in 1998

ENGLAND

Coach: Simon Amor

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Cup quarter-finals; 2002 – Plate winner; 2006 – Silver; 2010 – Fourth; 2014 – Plate winner

Pool B - Australia, England, Jamaica, Samoa

Team news: Simon Amor, himself a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, has been able to select a squad packed full of experience with only Tom Bowen unavailable as a result of the knee injury suffered in Vancouver last month. Tom Mitchell captains a squad featuring seven Team GB Olympians from Rio 2016 and six veterans of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. Among those are Dan Norton and James Rodwell for whom this is their third Commonwealth Games.

Squad: Dan Bibby, Phil Burgess, Alex Davis, Richard de Carpentier, Mike Ellery, Harry Glover, Ollie Lindsay-Hague, Ruaridh McConnochie, Tom Mitchell (captain), Dan Norton, James Rodwell, Ethan Waddleton. 

Did you know...? England have played Australia in every Commonwealth Games to date – winning five and losing two encounters – and will do so again on the Gold Coast

FIJI

Coach: Gareth Baber

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Silver; 2002 – Silver; 2006 – Bronze; 2010 – DNP; 2014 – DNP

Pool D – Fiji, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Wales

Team news: Former captain Semi Kunatani is the only overseas player selected by coach Gareth Baber for Fiji’s return to the Commonwealth Games after a 12-year absence. The others have helped Fiji claim three titles on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series 2018 – the only nation to win more than once – in Hamilton, Vancouver and, last weekend, Hong Kong. Fiji captain Jerry Tuwai has provided a scare this week, missing training with the flu, but the perennial crowd favourites have star quality across the squad with Amenoni Nasilasila and Eroni Sau just a few to name. 

Squad: Semi Kunatani, Jasa Veremalua, Josua Vakurinabili, Paula Dranisinukula, Kalione Nasoko, Jerry Tuwai (captain), Vatemo Ravouvou, Amenoni Nasilasila, Sevuloni Mocenacagi, Mesulame Kunavula, Eroni Sau, Alasio Naduva.

Did you know...? Fiji are seeking their first Commonwealth Games gold medal, having won silver in 1998 and 2002 and bronze in 2006 on their last appearance in the Games.

JAMAICA

Coach: Marcus Blackburn

Commonwealth Games record: Debut

Pool B – Australia, England, Jamaica, Samoa

Team news: Captain Conan Osborne is the only player backing up from Jamaica's appearance in the World Rugby Sevens Series qualifier in Hong Kong last weekend, but that makes them something of an unknown quantity to their pool. And with Jamaica's pedigree in athletics, they aren't short of a few speed merchants either!

Squad: Rhodri Adamson, Nyle Beckett, Anthony Bingham, Tyler Bush, Mikel Facey, Owen Linton, Lucas Roy-Smith, Conan Osborne (captain), Reinhardo Richards, Ashley Smith, Gareth Stoppani, Marcus Webber. 

Did you know...? Jamaica will not only make their Commonwealth Games debut in 2018 but also grace the Rugby World Cup Sevens stage for the first time in July

KENYA

Coach: Innocent Simiyu

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Plate/Bowl; 2002 – Bowl; 2006 – Bowl winner; 2010 – Plate; 2014 – Cup quarter-finals

Pool C – Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Zambia

Team news: Ian Minjire is the newest face in the Kenyan squad having only made his debut in the Hong Kong Sevens last weekend when Kenya lost in the Cup final to Fiji, just as they had done in the previous round, the HSBC Canada Sevens in Vancouver in March. Captain Oscar Ouma, Willy Ambaka, Billy Odhiambo and Collins Injera were at the heart of both these impressive runs in which Kenya came close to winning a second series title.

Squad: Eden Agero, Willy Ambaka, Andrew Amonde, Collins Injera, Ian Minjire, Billy Odhiambo, Samuel Oliech, Jeff Oluoch, Oscar Ouma (captain), Arthur Owira, Nelson Oyoo, Daniel Sikuta.

Did you know...? Kenya lost all five games at the inaugural tournament in 1998, including a 19-5 loss to hosts Malaysia

MALAYSIA 

Coach: Mohd Saizul Hafifi Bin Md Noor

Pool A – Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Scotland

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Plate/Bowl; 2002 – Bowl; 2006 – DNP; 2010 – Bowl; 2014 – Shield

Squad: Wan Izzuddin Ismail, Mohamad Safwan Abdullah, Muhammad Zulhisham Rasli, Muhammad Siddiq Jalil, Nik Mohd Shahiddan Mohd Zain, Mohamad Khairul Abdillah Ramli, Zulkiflee Azmi (captain), Muhammad Zharif Affandi, Muhammad Ameer Nasrun Zulkeffli, Muhammad Azwan Zuwairi Mat Zizi, Muhammad Nasharuddin Ismail, Muhamad Firdaus Tarmizi.

Did you know...? Malaysia hosted the first Commonwealth Games to feature rugby sevens in 1998

NEW ZEALAND

Coach: Clark Laidlaw

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Gold; 2002 – Gold; 2006 – Gold; 2010 – Gold; 2014 – Silver

Pool C – Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Zambia

Team news: Kurt Baker and co-captain Tim Mikkelson has a gold medal in their collections from the 2010 Games and will be eager to win a second and fifth overall for New Zealand. The squad blends the vast experience of players like Mikkelson, his co-captain Scott Curry and Sam Dickson with exciting young talents like Viilimoni Koroi, Etene Nanai-Seturo and Akuila Rokolisoa – who debuted in Hong Kong.

Squad: Kurt Baker, Dylan Collier, Scott Curry (co-captain), Sam Dickson, Trael Joass, Andrew Knewstubb, Vilimoni Koroi, Tim Mikkelson (co-captain), Sione Molia, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Akuila Rokolisoa, Regan Ware. 

Did you know...? New Zealand won 30 matches in a row on the Commonwealth Games stage before suffering a first defeat against South Africa in the 2014 final in Glasgow.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Coach: Douglas Guise

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Plate runner-up; 2002 – DNP; 2006 – DNP; 2010 – Bowl winner; 2014 – Bowl

Pool A – Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Scotland

Squad: Himah Alu, Samuel Malambes, Patrick Tatut, Eugene Tokavai, Willie Tirang, Emmanuel Guise, Nathan Baramun, Gairo Kapana, Freddy Rova, Wesley Vali, Henry Kalua (captain), Isaac Aquila.

Did you know...? Papua New Guinea won the Bowl at Delhi 2010, to achieve their best finish of ninth

SAMOA

Coach: Sir Gordon Tietjens

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Fourth; 2002 – Fourth; 2006 – Plate; 2010 – Plate winner; 2014 – Fourth

Pool B – Australia, England, Jamaica, Samoa

Squad: David Afamasaga, Elisapeta Alofipo, Tomasi Alosio Logotuli, Neria Fomai, Laaloi Leilua, Tila Mealoi, Alamanda Motuga, Murphy Paulo, Paul Perez, Tofatuimoana Solia, Alatasi Tupou (captain), Jacob Whittaker. 

Did you know...? Samoa have reached three semi-finals, but never won a medal – unlike their coach Tietjens who has four golds and one silver in his time in charge of New Zealand

SCOTLAND

Coach: John Dalziel

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – DNP; 2002 – Bowl winner; 2006 – Bowl; 2010 – Plate runner-up; 2014 – Plate

Pool A – Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Scotland

Team news: Captain Scott Riddell and Lee Jones – one of two players capped by Scotland at test level in the squad – will play in their third Commonwealth Games. A largely experienced squad, there are some promising young players too in Darcy Graham, who was named in the Dream Team at the 2018 series opener in Dubai, and George Horne.

Squad: Glenn Bryce, Jamie Farndale, Robbie Fergusson, James Fleming, Nyle Godsmark, Darcy Graham, George Horne, Ruaridh Jackson, Lee Jones, Max McFarland, Joe Nayacavou, Scott Riddell (captain).

Did you know...? Jamie Farndale captained Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games back in 2011

SOUTH AFRICA

Coach: Neil Powell

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – quarter-final; 2002 – Bronze; 2006 – Plate runner-up; 2010 – Bronze; 2014 – Gold

Pool A – Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Scotland

Team news: South Africa elected to send a development side to Hong Kong to focus on their title defence with their star names, meaning only Zain Davids will play back-to-back events. With two former World Rugby Men's Sevens Players of the Year in Cecil Afrika and Werner Kok, along with 2017 nominee Rosko Specman, South Africa certainly don't lack for experience but then have an exciting youngster in Siviwe Soyizwapi too.

Squad: Cecil Afrika, Tim Agaba, Kyle Brown, Zain Davids, Branco du Preez, Justin Geduld, Werner Kok, Ruhan Nel, Dylan Sage, Philip Snyman (captain), Siviwe Soyizwapi, Rosko Specman.

Did you know...? The 31 points conceded by South Africa on their way to winning gold in 2014 is the lowest by any gold-medal winning team

SRI LANKA

Coach: Peter Woods

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Plate/Bowl; 2002 – Bowl; 2006 – Bowl; 2010 – Bowl; 2014 – Shield winner

Pool D – Fiji, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Wales

Team news: Sri Lanka will field a young team on the Gold Coast with only captain Sudarshana Muthuthanthri, Srinath Sooriyabandara and speedster Danushka Ranjan returning from the 2014 edition in Glasgow.

Squad: Sudarshana Muthuthanthri (captain), Danushka Ranjan, Richard Dharmapala, Srinath Sooriyabandara, Hirantha Perera, Tarinda Ratwatte, Reyhan Silva, Sudam Sooriyarachchi, Naveen Hena Kankanamage, Adeesha Weeratunga, Kavindu Perera, Dansha Chandradas.

Did you know...? Sri Lanka are one of nine nations to have competed in every Commonwealth Games to feature rugby sevens

UGANDA

Coach: Tolbert Onyango

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – DNP; 2002 – DNP; 2006 – Bowl; 2010 – Bowl; 2014 – Bowl

Pool D – Fiji, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Wales

Team news: Michael Okorach is the new Ugandan captain having taken over the armband from Eric Kasita who is heading to the United States to study and will be a key player alongside Philip Wokorach. The majority of the squad have played on the world series this year and will be looking to bounce back after coming up short in their bid to secure a core team place on the 2019 series last weekend in Hong Kong.

Squad: Desire Ayera, Joseph Jadwong, Timothy Kisiga, Adrian Kasito, Ivan Magomu, James Odongo, Aaron Ofoyrwoth, Pius Ogena, Solomon Okia, Micheal Okorach (captain), Lawrence Ssebuliba, Philip Wokorach.

Did you know...? Uganda are the Rugby Africa men’s sevens champions, having confirmed their place in the Commonwealth Games with that victory on home soil last October

WALES

Coach: Gareth Williams

Commonwealth Games record: 1998 – Cup quarter-final; 2002 – Cup quarter-final; 2006 – Plate winner; 2010 – Cup quarter-final; 2014 – Plate runner-up

Pool D – Fiji, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Wales

Team news: A core of eight players from the world series are joined by British and Irish Lion Justin Tipuric, fresh from Wales’ Six Nations campaign, and fellow Welsh international Hallam Amos. Both have played for Wales before in sevens, but not for more than six years so it will be interesting to see how they make the transition.

Squad: Hallam Amos, James Benjamin, Ethan Davies, Owen Jenkins, Luke Morgan, Angus O’Brien, Benjamin Roach, Adam Thomas (captain), Justin Tipuric, Luke Treharne, Morgan Williams, Tom Williams. 

Did you know...? Wales had the honour of playing in the first-ever Commonwealth Games match in 1998, losing 54-7 to world champions Fiji

ZAMBIA

Coach: Andrew Kaminsa

Commonwealth Games record: Debut

Pool C – Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Zambia

Team news: Labelled a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” by vice-captain Guy Lipschitz as the highest profile competition that Zambia have played in, the team will be relishing opportunity to test themselves against some of the world’s best sevens nations.

Squad: Martin Chisenga, Davy Chimbukulu, Edmond Hamayuwa, Israel Kalumba (captain), Carlos Kanyama, Fernand Kashimoto, Larry Kaushiku, Terry Kayamba, Guy Lipschitz, Laston Mukosa, Edward Mumba, Sheleni Sheleni.

Did you know...? Zambia qualified for their first Commonwealth Games by finishing fourth in the Rugby Africa Sevens Championship in Uganda last October and will play four-time gold medallists New Zealand in their opening match

The Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games men's rugby sevens competition gets underway on Saturday at 09:31 local time (GMT +10)

Squad lists courtesy of GOLDOC